propose

/prəˈpəʊz/ (bre, ipa) · /prəˈpəʊz/ (ame, ipa) · /prə-ˈpōz/ (ame, mw)

propose — verb

  • proposepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • proposeshe / she / it
  • proposedpast simple
  • proposing-ing form

1. to present a plan or suggestion that others can examine and decide whether to ac

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to present a plan or suggestion that others can examine and decide whether to accept.

例句

Hamza proposed a new system for sharing office supplies across departments.

propose + noun phrase

At the town hall, several residents proposed planting more trees along the main road.

propose + gerund

同義詞
  • suggest

    less formal; used in everyday conversation, not just in meetings or committees

  • recommend

    implies the speaker approves of the idea and actively supports it

  • put forward

    a phrasal verb meaning to present an idea for consideration, common in British English

  • move

    used in formal meetings when a member formally makes a proposal that others vote on

反義詞
  • oppose

    to argue against a plan or suggestion

  • withdraw

    to take back a proposal that was previously made

文法句型

propose + noun phrase

propose + that-clause

propose + doing

用法筆記

Commonly takes a that-clause (with the base verb, especially in formal English) or a gerund phrase. The direct object is always an idea or action, never a person — for people, use sense 2.

常見錯誤

❌He proposed her to join the team.
✅He proposed that she join the team.
💡the person being suggested for an action needs a that-clause, not a direct object.
❌I propose to go to the park' (when suggesting).
✅I propose going to the park.
💡'propose + to-infinitive' usually means 'intend', not 'suggest an idea for discussion'.

2. to suggest someone's name for a position, award, or membership in a group, espec

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to suggest someone's name for a position, award, or membership in a group, especially when candidates are being put forward during an election or committee process.

例句

The chairperson proposed Andrew as the new treasurer of the science club.

propose + person + as + role

Professor Chen was proposed for a seat on the national ethics council.

passive: be proposed for + position

同義詞
  • nominate

    the more common word for putting someone forward for an election or award; 'propose' is more formal

  • put forward

    a less formal phrasal verb with the same meaning

  • recommend

    softer; does not necessarily involve a vote or formal meeting

反義詞
  • oppose

    to argue against someone being given a position or award

  • reject

    to formally decide not to accept a proposed candidate

文法句型

propose + person + as/for + position

be proposed as/for + position

用法筆記

The person proposed is followed by 'for' (a position or award) or 'as' (a role). This sense frequently appears in passive constructions in committee meetings and election contexts, especially British English.

常見錯誤

❌I proposed my friend as the new captain over coffee.
✅I proposed my friend as the new captain at the club meeting.
💡nomination normally happens in a formal meeting or voting process, not in casual conversation.
❌The team proposed the new member into the group.
✅The team proposed the new member for membership in the group.
💡use 'for' with memberships, not 'into'.

3. to formally ask someone to become your husband or wife, typically in a romantic

3.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to formally ask someone to become your husband or wife, typically in a romantic setting such as a special meal, trip, or private moment.

例句

Felipe proposed to Yan during a quiet picnic by the lake in late spring.

propose to + person (intransitive)

Samir got down on one knee and proposed to his partner at the family dinner.

同義詞
反義詞
  • divorce

    to legally end a marriage, at the opposite end of the relationship timeline

文法句型

propose to + person

用法筆記

Always followed by 'to' when the person being asked is named. Unlike the other senses, this sense is intransitive — it never takes a direct object. You cannot say 'propose someone' to mean ask them to marry you.

常見錯誤

❌He proposed her at the restaurant.
✅He proposed to her at the restaurant.
💡marriage sense always uses 'propose to', never 'propose' with a direct object.
❌She proposed him after dating for a year.
✅She proposed to him after dating for a year.
💡same rule regardless of the subject's gender.

4. to invite people at a social gathering to raise their glasses of drink in honor

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

to invite people at a social gathering to raise their glasses of drink in honor of someone or to celebrate a special occasion.

例句

At the wedding reception, the best man proposed a toast to the newlyweds.

propose a toast to + person (wedding context)

Ilan stood up and proposed a toast to celebrate the company's tenth year in business.

同義詞

文法句型

propose a toast to + person/event

用法筆記

The object is almost always the fixed phrase 'a toast'. The person or event being honored is introduced by 'to'. This sense belongs to formal social events such as weddings, retirement parties, and banquets.

常見錯誤

❌Let me propose a drink to the birthday boy.
✅Let me propose a toast to the birthday boy.
💡'propose' in this sense requires 'a toast' as the object, not 'a drink'.

5. to have a specific action or course of action as a plan that one intends to carr

5.動詞及物B2
釋義

to have a specific action or course of action as a plan that one intends to carry out in the future.

例句

The company proposes to open three new stores on the south coast next year.

propose to + infinitive (organization as subject)

Iker proposed to finish the engineering report by Friday afternoon.

同義詞
  • intend to

    everyday word for the same meaning; less formal than 'propose to'

  • plan to

    implies more detailed preparation than simply having an intention

  • aim to

    suggests a goal or target rather than a definite commitment

文法句型

propose to + infinitive

用法筆記

Always followed by a to-infinitive. This sense is more formal than 'plan to' or 'intend to'. The subject is usually an organization, institution, or a person in a professional or official role.

常見錯誤

❌I propose to visit Japan next month' (when you mean 'I suggest visiting Japan').
✅I propose visiting Japan next month.
💡use gerund after 'propose' to mean 'suggest'; use to-infinitive to mean 'intend'.
❌The government proposes increasing taxes.
✅The government proposes to increase taxes.
💡in this sense, 'increase' is something they plan to do, not just a suggestion they are putting forward.

6. to think of and state a specific plan of action, especially when dealing with a

6.動詞及物C1
釋義

to think of and state a specific plan of action, especially when dealing with a problem, challenge, or difficult situation.

例句

When the main bridge was damaged, the city council proposed a temporary ferry service.

propose + solution noun phrase

The engineering team spent the afternoon trying to propose a fix for the server failure.

同義詞
  • come up with

    less formal; implies thinking of a plan rather than formally stating it

  • devise

    stresses the mental effort of creating or inventing a solution

  • put forward

    a phrasal verb meaning to present a plan for consideration

文法句型

propose + noun phrase (plan/solution)

what do you propose

用法筆記

Often appears in questions ('What do you propose?') or with nouns like 'plan', 'scheme', 'solution'. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 puts forward an idea for group discussion, while sense 6 formulates a concrete plan to handle a specific situation.

常見錯誤

❌She proposed to solve the problem on her own.
✅She proposed a plan to solve the problem on her own.
💡sense 6 requires a stated plan as the object; use a noun like 'plan' or 'solution' rather than a bare to-infinitive.
❌We need to propose what to do today.
✅We need to propose a plan for today.
💡when the meaning is 'come up with a plan', use a noun phrase as the object.